At the beginning of this year I decided to take a “social media cleanse.” A big goal of mine is to use my phone less and just be more present. I realized that everytime I had a spare moment, my first instinct was often to pick up my phone and scroll mindlessly through Instagram or Facebook (and I really didn’t like this).
So, after the ball dropped (wow it feels like so much has happened since), I decided to delete my Instagram off my iPhone (other than the gloriouslane handle to post for our blog!:)) as well as Snapchat (this was easy cause I didn’t use Snapchat that much) and Facebook. I still checked Facebook on my laptop (mainly for events), but it was honestly so nice to have it off my phone. Rather than checking frequently thoughout the day, I would check maybe once or twice a day on my laptop, and that was all that was really necessary.
I’m honestly so grateful that I took a break from the socials. I felt a lot more present in my interactions I think, and didn’t waste as much time on my phone (on socials). Admittingly, I still frequently picked up my phone to check messages/messenger or emails (why do we have such an urge for news, of any kind, nowadays?). However, overall, I tried to focus on not checking my phone and responding to messages first thing in the morning (unless something was urgent of course), but rather reading the Bible and spending time with God. (I remember someone once saying what you do in your first waking hours can be pretty defining on how you set up your day and what you value which is a saying that I think definitely has truth in it.) I definitely have a long way to go, and want to become more comfortable with just being in “silence” (being by myself thinking and reflecting - but really being with God!). However, the month (and 10 days) of my “social media cleanse” was super helpful.
The other day, I redownloaded socials on my phone (mainly to post about our Church retreat after it happened), and it felt a little strange to use Instagram. I had missed so much that I wasn’t as absorbed in the content (which felt really good). Insta also updated my personal accounts in the time, and now they no longer show the number of likes, which I think is so nice (not that it was a big focus, but it was something I noticed so I really respect that insta took that off:)). I also posted photos with a caption about the past weekend that directly professed my Faith, and I didn’t think as much about it when posting or after (yay!). I think this is one way I’ve grown in using social media that makes me super happy! I used to be a bit scared or self conscious in what I posted, but I want to shout my love for God and not double think as much about what I’m posting (admittingly, I still do this a little). I also realized that I didn’t feel this need to scroll through and see what everyone was up to (especially since I had already missed so much). At the same time though, it was kind of nice to see posts people had posted that I had missed. :P
Honestly, now, having social media on my phone again for two days, I’ve realized how easy it is to fall back into old habits of just checking like mindlessly. I also realize that FOMO and feelings of loneliness and comparison are real and sometimes social media can add to that. I honestly think I’m going to delete them off my phone again, because I really think I liked life better without them (for me, at this point in my life). Or, I’ll need to build in concrete habits of not checking them until one time in the day or maybe just once on the weekends.
Update: I wrote the beginning of this post yesterday, and as of today, I took socials off my phone again! Feels nice :)
So, if you’re thinking about taking a healthy break from social media or just changing the way you view social media (could write a whole other blog post on this!) or building good habits about using social media, I so encourage it! I think it’s super helpful to reflect on our usage of social media (and technology in general!), and would love to have this conversation with you too!
Thank you for reading through my little reflection on my “social media cleanse.” I honestly thought it was going to be somewhat hard (since I think I had some FOMO about not seeing what people were posting), but it really wasn’t and I didn’t really feel FOMO from social media (honestly at all - it felt kinda nice telling people I actually wasn’t on socials at the moment). I think that just goes to show that sometimes you never know what you can do and how you’ll feel exactly and how you can grow unless you try and just do it! :)
So here’s to living life in the present with others!
All for the glory of God.
With love,
Joyce
Bible verse connection: “I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” 2 John 1:12 I recognize the irony in that I am writing this blog post, but I really liked this verse when I found it (I searched up “bible verses on social media”). I realize that since coming to college, I have really, really valued quality time more and love being present with others (and love when others are present with me)! :) Here’s to checking in with each other in person! :)
P.S. I also recognize that some people have really healthy social media habits and commend them on that! I know taking a break, so to speak, isn’t needed for everyone, but it has truly been so nice for me. :)
P.P.S. This photo was from the sunset at our Church retreat this past weekend! :’) Sunsets always put me in a grateful and reflective mood heh. Also, a post about my reflections on the retreat is coming! And one on my new little outro - all for the glory of God!
Comments